Property rates in Drakenstein
2009-07-16
THE Drakenstein Municipality’s budgetary process has been in compliance with all relevant laws, policies and other guidelines. The property rate increase was based on an average increase of 7,5%, but some will be above average, depending on the valuation increase. The valuation of each individual property has a huge impact on the property rates that will be levied to each municipal account holder. The property rates are calculated based on a specific tariff which is multiplied by the market value of each property (valuation was conducted recently for each property by an independent valuator). In terms of the Municipal Property Rates Act, implemented from 1 July 2009, a Municipality may, in terms of the criteria set out in its Rates Policy, levy different categories of rateable property. Categories of rateable property include residential, agricultural, commercial, government property, golf greens and amateur sport clubs. In line with increased valuations, approved tariffs on residential land (0,00863c last year) were decreased to 0,049c. Agricultural land tariffs were decreased from 0,00194c to 0,00123c, and industrial/commercial tariffs were decreased from 0,01345c to 0,00822c. Government property tariffs were decreased from 0,01569 to 0,01243. Golf greens are rated for the first time at 0,00123c and sports clubs at 0,00368c. It is clear from the above comparison that Drakenstein Municipality has taken considerable efforts regarding the tariffs to accommodate the new valuation, so as not to burden the consumer. It should be noted that where the value of a property has increased by more than 90% from the previous valuation of 2004, such consumers will pay more than 7,5%. Various road shows were conducted in the Drakenstein area to accommodate public participation in the budget process and cognisance was taken of comments regarding the property rates. As a result, considerable effort has been made to reduce the tariffs which in the draft budget of 31 March were originally set at a higher rate of 0,00513c (residential), 0,00128c (agricultural), industrial 0,00822c, government 0,01243c, golf greens 0,00128c and sports clubs 00,385c. May Carolissen, Head of Media & Communications Drakenstein Municipality
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